Invented in Germany in the early 19th century, the accordion is now played around the world in many distinct music genres. As wind instruments, accordions make sound when air is forced through a free reed to fill the bellows. Accordions can produce both melody and accompaniment at the same time with two “keyboards” (either a set of buttons and a keyboard or two sets of buttons).
This year’s ACCORDION ENCUENTRO celebrates Indigenous accordion styles from the Americas. Waila music meets Chamamé as our own Tohono O’odham Gertie Lopez (of Gertie N the TO Boyz) plays with the Alejandro Brittes Trio from Argentina.
Waila is the traditional social dance music of the Tohono O’odham. Originating from acoustic fiddle tunes, it
incorporates Mexican and European styles like polka, mazurka, and chote. It also draws heavily from norteño music from northern and Southern Mexico. Once called “chicken scratch,” waila music gets folks dancing in a smooth walking polka or two-step, done in a counterclockwise circle.
Chamamé comes from the Corrientes province of northeast Argentina, home to the Guarani people. Originally played with
violin and vihuela, the form soon incorporated the two-row diatonic button accordion, guitar, and other instruments. Chamamé social dance involves a close, chest-to-chest embrace and movements expressing joy, courage, and sorrow.
Also catch accordion sounds throughout the weekend on Tucson Meet Yourself stages:
Arizona Balalaika Orchestra, Music and songs from Ukraine, Poland, Russia, and other Slavic countries
Balkan Allspice, Folk dance music from Balkans & Eastern Europe
Klezmerkaba, Klezmer band bringing celebratory dance music originating with Eastern European Ashkenazi Jews
Lajkonik Polish Folk Dance Ensemble, Dancing to recorded Polish polkas and more
(with Balkan Allspice), Folk dance from Balkans & Eastern Europe
South Image, Tohono O’odham Waila music